The duo of trainer Graham Motion and jockey Johnny Velazquez gave us a BSW/Crow daily double this weekend when SECRET MESSAGE won the G3 Mint Julep and CRYSTAL CLIFFS (FR) made a splash in her U.S. Debut.
Having not been seen since her run in the G1 E. P. Taylor, SECRET MESSAGE turned in a huge effort off the layoff to kick off her 5-year-old season when taking the G3 Mint Julep under the Churchill Twin Spires over a loaded field (12 Stakes Winners) of older mares.
At the top of the lane, jockey Johnny Velazquez tipped the filly out into the five path where she avoided heavy traffic in a blanket finish which saw her come out on top by a head at odds of 25-1. Owners Madaket Stables, Scott Heider, ERJ Racing, Elayne Stables and Steven Bouchey can expect to have some fun with this BSW/Crow private purchase this summer as she will likely target Grade 1 events next out.
Old Forester Mint Julep Stakes (G3 )
1700m , 100.000 USD, for 4yo and upward mares
🇺🇸 Churchill DownsSecret Message (USA)
(5M Hat Trick – Westside Singer by Gone West )
J : John Velazquez
T : H. Graham Motion
B : Allen Tennenbaum
O : Madaket Stables LLC, ERJ Racing LLC… pic.twitter.com/G0VecCYqep— 🅼🅶 (@WorldRacing1) May 30, 2020
